Victim’s brother speaks out after deadly Chicopee hit-and-run sentencing

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - A Springfield man was sentenced on Tuesday in connection to a deadly hit and run in Chicopee back in October 2022.

The victim, 34-year-old Nickolas Weichel of Chicopee was killed as he crossed the street leaving the Rumbleseat Bar and Grill.

His brother spoke to Western Mass News about sentencing and what it means to his family.

“I miss him,” said Donald Weichel. “He’s ahhh – we got some justice though, I feel like. It’s wasn’t going to be enough. There isn’t a number that was going to be enough.”

Donald Weichel, talked about his brother Nick and the change of plea from the man who hit and killed him with a car back on October 8 of 2022, Nazier Grandison.

Back on that Saturday, Nick left the Rumbleseat Bar and Grille in Chicopee and was trying to cross Springfield Street.

That’s when police said Grandison going over 70 miles per hour, well above the speed limit, slammed into him.

“He was my best friend for 30 some-odd years you know? So it’s hard to put into words what he meant to me and to everyone who had the chance to meet him,” added Weichel. “But he was just one of those guys that if you met him you never forgot him.”

Grandison meantime was arrested and charged with motor vehicle homicide.

However, the Hampden D.A.’s office said at the time that, given the tragic outcome of the crime and alleged reckless responsibility, they pushed for the manslaughter charge.

Just this Tuesday, to avoid a jury trial scheduled for later in April, Grandison changed his plea to guilty.

The manslaughter charge came with a sentence ranging from three to four years.

A punishment Weichel said doesn’t seem harsh enough for taking the life of his brother, but something he’s and his family can accept.

“I’m thankful that the judge understood that it wasn’t an accident because I feel like the sentence would have been different,” expressed Weichel. “While we wish there was more time involved with the sentence that it wasn’t just a little bit of jail and probation. We’re happy he’s going to state prison, hopefully for at least 3 years.”